Blues steal first point from jaws of defeat

Disappointed that he's persisting with a 5-man defense and that Davies is starting over Onana.

Back to experience over youth – because that's been so successful in the past!!

£30M player on the bench.

We need to ensure that both wingbacks play high up the pitch or I can see a 1-0 defeat.

Roll onto the end of the transfer window with some good additions.

Dele and Van de Beek hardly used, now the Onana debacle... he must be bad if he can't get in ahead of our midfield! 😡

Not going to be an entertaining one this. Hard fought draw would be a good result given our set-up (I hate this automatic 5-man defence) and personnel.

I can only see a draw at best with that line-up. Hope I'm wrong and we get a win. Not over optimistic though. Piss-poor bench as well. New kid apart.

The best we can do is Rondon? Give me a break.

We will do well to get a draw.

I'm going to put 5p on Rondon to score a hat-trick.

Forest starting with 7 new signings. No mugs.

People saying give Rondon a chance but I think he is shite but will be happy to eat my words and be proved wrong (not literally of course).

Dele Alli on the bench! He's supposed to be in the Besiktas stadium tomorrow!

We are the home team aren't we!

Hopefully Frank has a cunning plan up his sleeve.

So-Frank is definitely for keeping Gordon here. Good to see McNeil on the bench. Power puff midfield, very lightweight, but Onana should get a decent shift I reckon.

Still seeing a draw but if we can get some balls into the box at least Rondon might scuff one in.

With the exception of McNeil, who else is he going to start?

Reality is the team we are putting out today is a Bottom 3 side and anyone disputing that is deluding themselves.

This was primed for Mills to make a name for himself. Ah well... let's limp to the end of the window and grind out what we can. 12 more points at stake, we already threw away six IMO .

Anyway, we should win this game. Forest are a mixed bag of players who don't know eachother. Get in their faces, press, and get an early goal.

Hoping Gray can find his form. And maybe for Gordon to stick a few mil on his price tag.

Tarkowski to score. Patterson to score. 2-0.

Questioning Lampard's bottle is beyond daft. Come on, Blues, let's get the first 3 points on the board.

Given our dreadful injury record, the last thing we should do is select players who aren't fully fit. Starting Onana is just asking for a lengthy hammy/tendon layoff. Best to get his match fitness up and introduce him gradually, much as I'd like like to see him start.

I really don't get the negativity, why not be reactive vs proactive?

No Onana to start as Frank said he is not yet up to Premier League speed. In the absence of alternatives, and as we are playing a lot of long balls, Rondon will give us a focal point up top.

And I don't need an Xbox or a PlayStation to realise Rondon is a shadow of his former self but he's all we've got thanks to the two incompetent fuckers who own the club! Not Lampard's fault.

Also, if you don't agree with my comment, fair enough… but ridiculous? I'm sure I'm not the only one that believes that.

Another brave team selection...

Dropping like flies not even 3 games in. What do they do at FF?

Midfield looks very lightweight.

What happened to having a go early, getting on the front foot? Guess I know nothing.

Forest score before HT

Everton run around like headless chickens first 10 minutes of second half - achieve nothing

Forest score 2nd goal.

Everton frustrated have a man sent off (this could be Pickford)

Everton manage a lucky goal - possible Forest OG - 5 minutes to go.

Forest score breakaway goal.

Final score: Everton 1 Forest 3.

Iwobi having a good game in the deeper central role. Looks far better with other players in front of him. Gray having a decent game too. Nice to see some shots from outside the box for a change.

The worry is Tarkowski. That half is up there with the worst of Michael Keane. He needs to take his head out of his arse.

As for Rondon. Complete waste of a shirt. Stick another midfielder on.

Rondon is keeping their central defenders more in position but he is still rubbish and looks slow in everything he does, is there absolutely nobody else we can play there?

Probably one goal for either side wins this game.

Iwobi playing out of his skin, Gray not doing too bad, Gordon lots of running but I smell a red card coming.

Need to be getting this won today when you take a glance at the upcoming fixtures.

Iwobi is playing very well, winning ball and setting up attacks. Tarkowski is having a poor game giving the ball away with indecision. Davies should have had at least two... we should be well up by now.

Second half to come... Dele, Onana on me thinks? Davies and Rondon off?

In general, we look much better organized than previously.

Just useless in the final third. Rondon in 1/4 of a striker. We get so far and run out of ideas, slow down, and then run out of space.

Coady looks a really good signing. Iwobi is the most improved player in the league. And Davies looks half decent. Grey and Gordon look like they can cause trouble, but lacking that little bit of X-factor.

We can win this, but how to change the attack with our options is the real challenge. We will likely rely on set-pieces.

Tarkowski not liking the left side at all, maybe switch the back 3 around...

Let's see Onana in the 2nd half please.

We're going down for sure. Lampard gone by October.

An Everton player can, that's who.

The rest were so frustratingly average it's unbelievable, once again we have to go behind to start playing with a bit of gusto.

Unless we sign more attacking players with punch then a long hard slog of a season is beckoning.

Back to the transfer team. Get your collective fingers out this coming week!

I can't believe Pickford is getting blamed for that goal. Patterson clearly at fault.

Everton 'hold my beer'.

I think Rondon did well when he was on. That turn and shoot was close.

And so did Davies. Unlucky he wasn't able to get a touch on that cross.

No idea what our best 11 is but we need a striker.

I agree. Pickford, Tarkowski, McNeil, Onana – all error strewn. Everyone seems to shoot like Osman: on target but weak. But psychologically a point and a goal give us a lift. We need though to get some attackers in asap this week – not wait until deadline day.

Today's result might be the end of Frank.

We need a striker. Onana might need time to adjust. McNeil was again underwhelming. The two that came on didn't improve on the two that went off.

I thought Gray and Iwobi were our best. Gordon continues to be Gordon - exciting, hard working, struggles with end product.

Shame that some of our best chances fell to Tom but I thought he played pretty well.

At least we've scored a goal.

Garbage.

I'm all for taking Chelsea's offer at this point. Gordon should have won the game.

Onana is clearly a talent... and also clearly not ready for the big time. We'll have a great player there in a few months, but patience will be required.

Lampard nearly threw all the points away with the stupid substitutions. It's the hour almost, send on the subs.

Okay, so Rondon was rubbish so let's do what didn't work in the other two games and play three wingers. Each time one of them broke, they couldn't do anything with it as there was nobody to give it to.

He might at least have kept Davies, who'd been having a good game, replaced Rondon with Iwobi and played Onana in his role but, after his promising cameo last week, looked out of his depth today. McNeil looks a total waste of money... and £45Mill for Gordon, take it!

Thank heavens that Pickford knows how turn provider.

I won't get carried away with a point against a poor Forest side but a decent big striker must be a priority if we want to see something from, at least, two of the three wingers.

Mediocrity, we should be so lucky!

To blame Lampard is a bit rich, Moshiri and Kenwright deserve all the flak.

As for the goal, Pickford getting the abuse, but how slow was our defence to react to the save?

McNeil looks a poor buy.

We still have time to sell Gordon.

Lampard is all talk but a shocking manager.

I think George is right about Gordon. He was given every opportunity to show his ineptitude as a forward and he did indeed seriously disappoint.

How many chances did he have? How many goals should he have scored?

Onana saw the reality this afternoon and will need sharpening up.

Pace and intent was good but we so lack any cutting edge.

Onana looks very nervous and may take time to adjust to the demands of the Premier Leaguebut there is no excuse for some of the others.

Unable to get much from the first three games sounds like it's going to be a long hard struggle once again and I suspect that Lampard may not be around at the end.

He started with Rondon who is a rank amateur but, having said that, Lampard has very little else... but surely the lads who went out on loan and Dele Alli could do better than Rondon.

Something is seriously wrong and nobody at the club seems to give a monkey's about it.

Upcoming games will anchor us to the bottom.

We have no creative play and the new players we brought in are as bad as the rest of squad 2023 will see us relegated.

So far, defending set-pieces is better. I can see improvement.

But I feel Gray and Gordon have been trying too hard to dribble for a shot while ignoring the striker when running channels. Not enough crosses into the box.

Not as soft in the middle but toothless up front.

Thought Gray had his best game in some time. Looked a far more valuable player than the £50 million lad!

Also thought Rondon put in a shift. He is limited, but pressed. You could see him trying to encourage others to step up pressure in the press. But, for all his effort, he is still no more than a back-up sub.

Iwobi was very good again. Really put in the leg work.

We have the makings of a good side, just need one or two gaps filling. It is frustrating but we have wasted our money and now need to do deals, like this kid from Ajax.

The same way, we should give McNeil time. He's been doing well at Burnley for the team (not necessarily shown up as goals or assists), I believe he'll come good.

After this game, I hope Gueye's move is not off yet. Onana might suit better to play as a No 8 than a No 6. He likes to go to ground and will give away a lot of free kicks around the box.

On the plus side if we buy/loan two good strikers we do have enough creativity if the midfield give them service, as long as midfielders recognise that their job is to create and not play up top with them.

He's also improved passing and movement. What we lack is due to the board's financial ineptitude forcing us to sell our best attacker.

As for the selection? Rondon was garbage, he couldn't run two yards on several occasions when he could have scored. No point keeping him on if he's useless and we did score after he was subbed so how was that a bad move?

Who to blame, the owner, the chairman, the director of football, the manager or the players? Truth is, they are all complicit to differing degrees in the decline, stagnation and decay of Everton Football Club.

I don't see any hope, I honestly don't... after 50 years of support, it's same old cycle of failure.

I need to go to my happy place for a pint or two.

We could be looking for another manager sooner rather than later. I like Lampard but he is one shit-scared manager. Carbon copy of last season. Nothing has changed.

That doesn't need answering, mate. They scored once we made the subs; they never previously. See how presenting things in a certain way works.

In my opinion, it was a stupid decision to take our only striker off. McNeil and Onana were both ineffectual. Davies was much better.

Lampard's not a soothsayer.

Unless Rondon couldn't jog, he should have been left on longer.

I'm all for giving young lads time but it's fair to say that considering he's got plenty of Premier League experience, McNeill needs to improve.

Poor day for Tarkowski but we got a point when it looked like we wouldn't score if we were there for a week.

Our attackers need some weights on their thigh muscles to get some semblance of power behind their shots.

You could see Onana was not fit, as Lampard said, so getting rid of the manager, totally ridiculous. Others mentioning we should have brought in Cooper, O yeah, he's spent nearly £150M this summer, that sums it up.

Tarkowski had a bit of a wobbly game, but Coady and (didn't think I'd be saying this) Holgate were excellent. Our goalkeeper made a mess of whatever he was trying to do for their goal.

Our defence came under concerted pressure in the last 15 mins or so but I think that was down to the midfield becoming a bit dysfiunctional. Understandable that Onana was a bit lost and rather gangly; but he nearly got himself sent off, if his rugby tackle had connected. No doubt he needs time to get used to the Premier League. Iwobi was excellent.

I was chuffed to bits for Gray, as he looked a lot more like the lad we saw until he got injured. McNeil looked fast today and let's see how he fits in.

From my seat in the Upper Bullens, I was thinking that, if Chelsea were offering around £50 million for Gordon, I think it would be well worth selling him for.

Rondon had one decent shot but, really, I thought he was isolated up front.

I didn't think we were abysmal, as Ray did. I imagined at the beginning of the season, we'd struggle to stay away from the relegation zone and I think we will. That to me, is our Number One objective. If we get some more good players in to make me change my view, I'll be delighted.

Let's see who we can get in the next 11 days or so.

Sell Gordon, use the money to balance the squad and get a new manager in, sooner rather than later.

Don't come at me saying they are wingbacks. Both Patterson and Mykolenko are full-backs. Brighton play wingers as wing-backs. Their Manager has balls.

Loaning out Simms was a huge error. He's big, powerful, pacy and can finish. Better than any of the lightweight wingers Lampard has thrown up front.

Lampard needs to ditch the negative team selections and pick teams to win games.

Blaming the board is fine but they don't select 5 defenders at home.

Relying on Rondon is a joke. 100% on the board, a £500M stadium in the Championship.

Dwight McNeil proving ToffeeWebbers right. Played out of position, but looks bang average.

Dele and Gbamin on the bench, but may as well have been cardboard cut-outs.

Now the game is over, eyes back to transfers. Nothing else matter at this stage.

If I were a betting man, I don't see Lampard being our manager season end. Yes ,he can only work with what he's got but he keeps making some very odd decisions. His in-game management is poor, which is worrying.

Why do our signings never look ready?

Other clubs sign players and they hit the ground running.

We'll need to pull off a suprise result on the road for Frank to stay in post. Otherwise we'll be waiting until October for a winnable game.

Very strange...

Davies is not a goalscorer; Lampard was correct in saying Onana was not ready for the pace of the Premier League; and Gordon, if he wants to become the player he thinks he is, he will have to improve his goal-scoring attempts.

This was slightly better than the last couple of games and in the first half seemed slightly better having Rondon on, but he is definitely not the answer.

Lampard will be blamed but I don't know how many other managers have had to deal with so many injuries in critical defensive and forward positions. and be handicapped under the FFP ruling. We can't bring in another player for everyone who gets injured.

The first half we looked good and should have had a couple of goals but we didn't and the confidence seemed to drain out of them.

As far as Forest go, I watched them last week against the Hammers and I think their lucky 9 lives is going to end soon, and it should have ended today.

You think Davies was our problem?

Comment on the game he played, not your bias against him.

We had enough chances to have won by a hatful:

1) Rondon tried but too slow and isolated;

2)Both Gray and Gordon were selfish;

3) Gordon was trying too hard for whatever reason, easily knocked off the ball;

4) I didn't like intermittent gaps in midfield;

5) Davies was okay but I don't think Onana would have missed first-half chances he did;

6) We still haven't got the young striker we need, else we would have won;

7) We need to be patient with both Onana and McNeil.

Also have to say, despite some missed passes, Alex Iwobi was immense, like Beckenbauer on acid. Gray did some nice things too. But Iwobi was real class.

Bumped into two Americans at the end who'd never heard of ToffeeWeb, hope they show up here.

Finally, for those whingers, naysayers and professional doom merchants who want to get rid of Frank, I only have four words condensed into one: STFU…

I see a much more complete style of football.

What I don't see are any goalscorers and I don't see any strength in midfield.

Unless and until we rectify this, a relegation battle is looming.

Not much will change till the striker situation is sorted.

I'd love to see some pragmatism from Frank and revert to a back 4 but looks unlikely.

I never said Davies was the problem. I'm just surprised with the people who said he had a good game, again very strange...

Frank, please stop the players playing from the back. Either that or go! Your tactics today at home was to gain a point. Well done! Against a promoted team at home. I'm getting bored of the same, year-in & year-out!!

What is strange, fans are on a waiting list for season tickets to watch this!!!

You think he had a poor game? Certainly right about something strange but you might find it nearer to home.

Sensible words and good work on promoting TW. Good lad!

Somewhere around 50 calls for Lampard to be sacked, great idea let's start from scratch, new manager new backroom staff, that should stabilise us.

It must be remembered that Iwobi was the most reviled player who's ever worn the Blue. I thought he was the worst pound-for-pound signing ever; moral of the story – give them time and play them in positions they're comfortable in.

All-in-all, some good things on display, some not so good, I'll stick my neck out and say if we had a Lukaku or a Lineker, we might have won all three.

If Pickford had several opportunities to make saves but instead conceded, would we say “Well that's good he got himself in a position where he could have made a save”?

I posted before the game that, if this fixture was in May, we'd have been greeting the team bus with flares. It was a must-win game, even if that hasn't yet dawned on Frank and the team, and we drew.

Very strange view you have, George, and so contrary to a lot of others but what does that matter when you are so convinced he did little right.
Goodnight.

So if we haven't got a proper striker, that's his fault. But it's deeper than just personnel. He's made the decision that we need to be a back five, cos we don't have the quality to play as a 4.

That decision right there then negates our two best players, Gray and Gordon. No longer needed cos we will be playing wingbacks. He's also bought another fucking right-sided centre-back to add to the four we already have and asked him to play on the left in a three, something he's never done before.

The effect of this is we line up against newly promoted Forest at home in a must-win game with five at the back, and no forwards. And promptly do nothing all game.

People need to wake up. We are comfortably the worst team in the Premier League. We got whooped by a desperate Ason Villa who have had their arse handed to them in their other two games. We should have lost again today to a team that has integrated 10 new players over the last 10 days.

I can understand people not wanting to contemplate change, but the longer we leave it, the worse it's going to get.

Kevin, did you watch the game? To suggest we did nothing is rubbish.
We were the better side, by far, for 75 to 80 minutes of the game. In the first half especially, we played some good football.

We created lots of chances, which on another day two or three would have gone in. They hardly threatened at all but got a break in Pickford's save falling straight to one of their players.

I repeat, to say we did nothing, is rubbish.

Can't disagree with most of what you say except Bournemouth are the worst team.

I listened to the game, we started brightly and slowly ran out of gas. Forest were comfortable by the half hour mark and by the last quarter of the game were the only team who were going to win.

This is a team who the previous week against Newcastle were ran ragged and didn't have a shot on target.

He should have learnt from last week but I guess not

Looking at upcoming fixtures and expected results, I don't see him being here by mid November however.

McNeil completely out of form

Onana not up to speed

Simms not even available or likely to be, unproven too.

Rondon enough already said.

Oh and it’s too.

Pickford - 7
Patterson - 6
Holgate - 6
Coady - 6
Tarkowski - 5
Mykolenko -6
Davies - 7
Iwobi - 8
Gordon - 6
Gray - 7.5
Rondon - 6

Subs:
Onana - 4
McNeil - 5

Maybe Chelsea and derby found that out too.

Overall clearly just work in progress and, in fairness, not any noticeable improvement on last season's early season form.

Long time listener, first time caller. I have genuinely loved this site for decades and finally decided to join the conversation.

To the game, I thought we played well. The passing was crisp, the pressing was good, the shape was good, and we had willing runners into space. We had none of that under Benitez.

I’m not a fan of the 3 at the back, but we do look much more solid with it. Coady was really good today, and Holgate put in a very mature, controlled performance. Tarky was the weak link today - very loose at times that almost let them in. Having said that, it seemed that his was often the head that cleared the corners and crosses, and I feel a lot less nervous with him at the back vs Keane. Patterson and Mykolenko were solid. Not sure where Nathan was for their goal, but otherwise, a decent performance from both given they’re still finding their feet in the PL.

Midfield - Davies was ok. We looked more disjointed after he went off. Onana, oh boy… someone said on the Live Forum he reminded them of Fellaini when we first arrived, and totally agree. He’s going to get a few cards this season.

Iwobi was superb. Best player for us - never seemed to lose control, never misplaced a pass, always available, and you see his team-mates looking for him all the time. He was like Zidane. He made us tick.

Goldilocks Gordon… he looked like he was trying too hard or not trying hard enough. He’ll get it just right soon and then we’ll have a player. I want him to stay.

Gray. Hot and cold. Took his goal really well, maybe he can go on another little early season goal spree like last year.

McNeill… looks really short of confidence and overthinking things. He could have played defence splitting passes at times but ended up over or under cooking them. But he’s got a good left foot and I’ll give him time. Maybe take him off corners for the season though…

Rondon - He’s rubbish. I wish we had never signed him, but he does know how to play as a centre forward and did ok today. The shape and focus definitely deteriorated after he went off.

We have a style and a shape. The defence looks solid, Iwobi is a revelation. Just need that barn storming striker and we’ll be in business.

As for the calls for Lampard out, not me. I have a feeling we may upset Brentford next time out (we bloody need to and get more points on the board).

We don't have any forwards so Frank can't pick a forward... or do you know something we all don't know about!!!

She did correct herself but a Freudian slip if ever there was one.

We know we're poor but the question is are we fully motivated giving it a right old go showing signs of turning things round or just maintaining the "talk the talk" bluff that has become our MO?

If the former, Frank will get leeway; if not, he's doomed.

You didn't even see the game?

So you think we didn't need another midfielder. As for letting 2 strikers go to Championship clubs, Simms played for Hearts last season and Broadhead played in League One, a big comedown from the Premier League.

As for the money we got for Richarlison, every signing Lampard has made is structured over 3/5 years because of FFP. He couldn't buy Cornet because Burnley wanted the £17.5M upfront which we couldn't do, so Lampard is definitely not the problem.

A long day that started at 4am. No complaints, took the dogs out and navigated my way through the industrial action to get to Lime Street in good time. Now on the National Express coach heading back. I estimate being home 2am latest.

Good to bump into Stephen and then Dave and Bill. As well as Carol. Sorry I didn't meet up with others. Tight timings today. Next time.

I'll get the controversial bit out of the way first as I doubt it will sit well with many. I actually thought it was an enjoyable game of football if I take my Everton glasses off. End to end stuff, especially in the latter stages. We go to be entertained as much be traumatised right?! Decent noisy atmosphere as well with Goodiaon basking in the sun and a blustery wind. The flag on top of the Bullens Road was hanging on at times.

On Everton, the glaring obvious was clear. We were a striker away from winning that relatively comfortably. It needs addressing.

I'll go through some opinions on individual players.

Pickford was a bit flappy again and his kicking often aimless. Good stop in the build up to their goal. Maybe harsh so l'll wait until I watch back, but could he sometimes hold it?

I think Pattetson will grow. I'm liking what I see.

Mykolenko didn't have his best game. I wonder that if we're going to stick with this formation, he's better suited on the left of the 3 rather than as wing back?

We're going to have to be patient with Onana and he could do with a wise head in there. Would Allan have helped?

Doumary Gray can be a threat. Pace and drive. But needs to learn when to look up and release. Great run on to the direct ball for the equaliser. I dared him not to balls it up. I think I would have jumped out of my front row seat in the Upper Gwladys if he had.

Same with Anthony Gordon. He's a great player and still developing, but just doesn't seem to have a finish in him. My word, that was a gilt edged chance at the end but he fluffed his lines. For someone of his ability, a cute loft would have done it. But he lacked composure and made the keeper look good by hitting him in the chest.

This may also not go down too well, but Rondon actually gave us something to aim for when he was on. His hold up play and use of strength when chesting the ball into the path of midfield runners was a theme until he went off. He clearly lacks the 2nd ball ability so isn't the answer, but credit where due.

Why are officials ignoring blatant and deliberate shirt pulling? Pet hate and that's 2 weeks in a row for us now where its gone unpunished.

Final thought. I noted that Anthony Gordon cut an isolated figure at the end. He stayed on the half way line for quite a while before eventually joining the rest of the players. Could be something, could just be frustration at that miss.

Final word goes to the young lady in the place on the corner next to the National Express bays at the Liverpool 1 bus station.

Coach was delayed, I got fed up waiting so went in to order a drink and snack as I could keep an eye on the bus station from the window seats there.

Sods law, the coach turns up as I'm waiting, so I told her to leave it even though I'd paid. Bless her, she came out with a doggy bag for me a few minutes later as I was boarding!!

I'm away for the next few weeks. Next up for me will be Arsenal away. Let's get the voodoo dolls out and breat that hoodoo. But I'll be watching the other matches, just on TV and US Eastern time.

Forever

I pretty much agree with everything you said.

We should have won today – end of story, Big 2 points dropped.

The result was no suprise, we have an average team that with a couple of the right players could become a decent one. That's the hard bit, they have to be quality and want to come to us, they don't grow on trees.

I've every confidence in Lampard if he is given a squad that is good enough.

Joe, I also noted they did play Grand Old Team at the end. Forever Everton was preferred.

I must mention Iwobi. I'd actually say he was our best player over the 90. Not for what we expect of him on the ball. His work rate and winning the ball back in midfield stuck out for me. I don't know if anyone else thought that??

When we have signed someone better than our loaned-out players, then I agree all our young forwards need experience and being loaned is the best.

Both seemingly difficult mountains but essential as we can't afford to write off the first 6+ games of the season through Calvert-Lewin's injury. Looks like this will be a long season.

Everything else, formation, Gordon v Rondon v McNeil etc is purely academic. We're pretty much toothless.

The problem all our recent managers have had is failing to learn from their mistakes. Repeating their various pet tactics in the hope they'll eventually work – in the face of empirical evidence to the contrary.

Lampard's pig-headed insistence on a 5-man defence is going to be his downfall.

I'm willing to give him time but I fear the writing is already on the wall.

Agree with Steve S at #164. I don't understand why we didn't keep Simms. Even if he turns out to be more Danny Cadamarteri than Graeme Sharp, at least Cadamerteri banged in a few goals when he first broke into the team…

Negative results will decide the fate of any manager. Let's assess after 15 matches and a striker or two brought in. Perhaps it's the players not the tactics?

I am happy after today. A point closer to the magic total of 40!!

It is always a pleasure reading your measured comments.

You are a rock on TW.

As for the set up - Mykolenko is no wingback and Patterson is bedding in (needs to work on his crosses, they were poor today).

We might revert to a back 4 meaning Patterson might miss out with keeping Mason in there – since coming in has had a point to prove and is taking the opportunity.

The midfield should welcome Allan back to break up play and put Davies in front of him, he can actually pick a short clever pass (he's played well and deserves a chance) and Iwobi for his box to box ability and sheer energy can take and loose balls.

Gray and Gordon can link the midfield and attack, with Rondon up front until Calvert-Lewin gets back.

4-3-3

We have suffered for years with little service even Digne wasn't producing or not often enough. Suppose that comes with good players who can at least beat the first man with a cross.

Well he wasn't rubbish today, mate. He won lots of balls, played long and brought the midfield into play with his lay-offs, mainly off his chest. He also received the ball just inside the box, swivelled quickly, and was mere inches wide of scoring.

If anything, the wingers not playing the ball into the box early let him down.

So rubbish? Not right, and not fair on today's showing.

I thought we started well with plenty of shots on goal with direct attacks and looked good for the first half an hour, in fact we should have been two up with those poor misses by Tom Davies he could have been the hero today he did a lot more things right than wrong.

We let Forest get on top in the last part of the first half without really look like scoring.

The second half was spoilt by the two substitutions, the only ones made by Frank, with neither of them being an upgrade on the players going off. Everton were not great but deserved to win the game, much better than the poor, to me, Forest team.

I don't like the five in defence that Frank seems to insist on and it's patently obvious Tarkowski is uncomfortable playing on the left side of it, Coady had a good game but I wouldn't mind betting he wouldn't have been as good on the left side either, a good reason to play Coady and Tarkowski together in a back four.

Rondon worked hard but is not the answer as a regular striker, Broadhead scored the winner for Wigan today for those who think Everton let all three possible candidates go when it might have been wiser to hang until nearer the transfer deadline.

It's obvious this present squad will make it very difficult for Everton to survive in the Premier League this season but hopefully three or four recruits are on their way to boost the energy and performances of our team.

I just don't see Anthony being the player we need/want. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, the 2 bids (so far) that Chelsea have made are more than Liverpool paid for Sadio Mane. It's madness and we have to accept. Which one really is world class?

It became more about hopi g we got behind the dance as for the goal and the Gordon chance.

We've all raised an eyebrow at Rondon, but that was a decent performance and shift today from my seat.

Let's wait and see what the week brings in terms of transfers. It looks as though Dele is away but again let's see how that develops. A good striker would give the whole team a lift so let's hope it happens.

About 300 votes for the squad, slightly less the board, and in third place with 175 votes: a curse. I’d say that latter should count as board votes as the curse has a name.

The full quote was: “Rondon - He’s rubbish. I wish we had never signed him, but he does know how to play as a centre forward and did ok today. The shape and focus definitely deteriorated after he went off.”

I was pleasantly surprised by his impact today and he could have had a goal. None of that changes my opinion that he’s generally rubbish and I do wish we had never signed him

Contributed nothing offensively or offensively.

It may come or it may not but I thought he was ordinary myself.
,

The shape with only 2 in the middle allowed Forest to get a hold on the game after a lively first 20 mins. The ball over the top of a snail-like Forest back 4 was on from minute one. But it took until going behind to even look for it.

Once we started putting pressure on and played further up the pitch in the last 10 mins Forest looked shaky. If we had done that throughout the game I believe we would have won.

The strategic mindset was too negative against an average side. This, more than the obvious lack of firepower, worries me. It shows a lack of courage and in game management. Sad to say but Frank is starting to look out of his depth.

Agree with Dave, Tarkowski is not the same commanding figure playing on the left, Frank has to change to a back four,

Onana needs to get up to speed, in a 3-man midfield and hopefully a new striker before next Saturday, will make us a more offensive team.

Mykolenko is a terrific left-back, he's lost as a wingback also.

After today, the bookies have us in the bottom 3 at the end of the season. This is a relegation battle. And this time we won't have a good start to fall back on.

A lack of a striker, let's hope that 2 strikers arrive soon, and also for the final passes to be more meaningful and precise.

Patience is needed and then let's see, by the time this transfer window closes, the scope for Everton to improve.

Putting a shift in and battling will only get you so far before the lack of genuine attacking quality and creativity comes to light, but with Frank persisting with the back 5, it basically eliminates having that extra man in midfield to find space and create anything.

Coady looks like he can only play in a back 5 while Tarkowski only looks like he can play in a back 4, the latter looked uncomfortable trying to bring it out on his left hand side all match.

Not sure what needs to change that's not our job as fans to know but we really lack a spark in the final third and Frank needs to find a solution asap because the games are only going to get harder.

I firmly believe that if (??!!) we get a good striker in, the team will grow in confidence and actually get a top half finish. The building blocks are there with a solid spine that will improve each week.

Suggestions from some that Lampard should be sacked are just madness. We need to build with stability. Even if we had Pep/Klopp we’d still be terrible without a striker.

I try to be partial but I just do not see a centre forward in Rondon, nor any of our false number nines tried.

Can we honestly head into our next game, without a striker, we have had chances in all three games to take home all three points, to not bring one in before the start of the season is bad enough, but knowing full well Calvert-Lewin would be out for some Months, allow two of our young strikers to go out onloan, and 3 games in, still no centre forward brought in is nothing short of outrageous.

1 point out of a possible nine, and yet we still are no closer to landing a centre forward, the one area we were weakest most and still we dither.

Did I mention we need a striker, for Christs sake Everton, get it sorted.

On the game today I thought Tarky was crap and got lucky, Coady not that much better. Holgate has been very good for a while now though. Iwobi just getting better and better and his partnership with TD today showed a lot of promise. Rondon did his job, held the ball, won some headers and provided an out ball, even in the swirling wind. Gordon, and Gray for 87 mins were awful. In fact we have too many wingers. Non of them have that final ball or consistency that any top team needs. McNeil... he is also crap. Give me Dele Alli all day over any of them. In fact how about instead of 523 we play 532 and control the midfield better.

He’s not been good but you thought he was crap today? Can’t agree

If we have to be creative as Rondon can only last up to 70 minutes a game, in terms of a sub, well Onana is about as tall as Haaland, very quick and can go past players, will battle any ball in the air. Can he finish?

Anyway, let's hope a fast striker comes in so that the full backs and wingers can put the ball into space for them to go 1on1 with the centre back, which will change the attacking gameplan a lot more.

Spurs do this with Son and there's others like Salah who are always put in 1on1 opportunities.

We can't persist with Rondon anymore unless the team can continuously build up play and cross one into the penatly spot for Rondon to out-muscle his man and nod one in, over-and-over again.

New players, especially young players, will inevitably take time to settle. In the meantime, we will need to be patient with them and a manager who is still learning his trade.

And here's the thing that really sticks in my craw – when a player switches from a high number to a revered number like the 10 jersey, they should know it comes with the responsibility of improved performance.

Some fans will say it doesn't matter what number is on their back, but it obviously mattered to the player, so they should step up.

It's also worth noting that Iwobi and Holgate have improved under Frank with Davies and Gray looking better today than they have for a while and even Rondon offered more than usual.

Throw a half-decent No 10 and a striker into the mix and I think we will be fine. To me, we look better than the team I watched for most of last season.

We have lost one of our “easiest” away games of the season at Aston Villa, and just about drawn one of the easiest home games against a newly promoted team.

This has the feel of a very tough season. Assuming Gordon leaves, the part-exchange needs to be smart, and/or the money must be spent quickly and wisely.

I think Onana obviously isn’t match fit but he’s also young and stepping up into a faster tougher league. In a nutshell he’s like Fellaini who got a lot of stick for being impetuous, making rash tackles etc when he first arrived. But given time to adjust he became a very important player.

I agree, Onana looks a bit keen to impress at the moment. I think he shows a lot of raw talent but will take time to settle and, as you say, get up to speed.

I agree with you too on the improvements in players, even dare I say it Holgate, but yes, above all, Iwobi, who has gone from whipping boy to our best player.

Old, young, experienced or raw, throw a load of new players together and it's going to take a while for it to settle and for them to gel.

Good starts offsetting poor form later in the season or bad starts being offset by strong finishes. We've all seen both. It's what we do over the course of the season that matters, not 3 games.

I do think Onana may have been trying too hard today and dare I say, got pumped up by the crowd reaction as he was warming up. You could see it in him on the touchline and in the corner. He went on the pitch with adrenalin overload.

Nothing wrong with either, I just think we need to set our expectations as he settles in and he needs to focus on his football. He will be an asset, but he's young.

Positionally I thought he was caught behind the play and the ball too often, hence me suggesting a wise head in there might help him. And more importantly, the team.

I'm guessing Allan is gone, so is the Gueye thing still on?

Q) " Why is it a foul and yellow card for a player when he pulls a player down from behind, but it is only a foul the second time he does it?"

A) Because:

(i) Most times it's not a yelllow, it's all about them, the referees, who have it arse-about-face – it's designed to help the Sky darlings, to put their opposition under pressure. But If every foul is a yellow, it would be 6-a-side after an hour.

(ii) The referees and the VAR, as directed in their rules of engagement by Sky and the Premier League, don't have a fuckin clue.

Anyway, moving on. Tarkowski had a bit of a mare, Gordon (or a half decent striker) could've had a hat-trick, Gray and Iwobi were up there for MotM, I thought Davies wasn't too bad. Onana was very lucky to stay on – see above on referees...

I still don't like the back line setup – be it 3 or 5.

Gray could do a job in the 'Lineker role'... except that he either blows hot or very cold total waste of space.

Deadline day and the new striker(s) or Gordon going question could get very interesting. The Club could; if all goes well, come out of this relatively well (for them)... or Lampard could be gone before the kids go back to school. We are the 'Interesting Times' curse writ large.

I am also reminded of the supposed former Prime Minister Macmillan's quote when asked...

"Prime Minister [ Mr Moshiri ], what can prevent you from carrying out your policies?"

"Events, Dear Boy, Events."

Sort out these 'Events' please.

I don't like this 5 at the back when we don't have a goalscorer in the team as it keeps too many players back.

I don't know why he took Davies and Rondon off because I thought they were doing okay and McNeil was just a waste of a shirt. What happened to the player who played against Dynamo Kiev?

As for their goal ,I wish Pickford would palm those balls out for a corner if he doesn't feel confident of retaining the ball. We have conceded countless goals because he insists on punching or palming the ball instead of taking it in. Great pass for the equaliser though.

Let's hope Bill finds the money he put down his sofa this week and we get a couple of goalscorers in.

However, I would certainly hope to see him given some game time on Tuesday, at Fleetwood, might be worth giving Tom Cannon and Warrington some minutes as well.

Need to give this competition some serious thought and try to build up some momentum, while at the same time, use a couple of youngsters to gel with some of the first teamers, see if we can get a winning formation.

Sorry I never got to see some of the regulars for a drink, bit hectic with the various bus changes, then being pre-occupied with the St George's Hall workers rally, then mad dash to the buses back into town, hopefully no rail strike for next home game so be nice to finally get a good pre match catch-up.

40,000 turn up consistently to watch utter garbage. How not run a club in a nutshell. Scrambling to get a point against a very moderate newly promoted team.

Boring most of the time. What have we done to deserve this. We really are a laughing stock. Lampard is clueless.

Fat chops Kenwright and Moshri – hold your heads in shame. What have you done to our beloved once respected club. £20 million for fucking McNeil.

Or alternatively, read the posts by Robert T, Mike G, Steve Daniells, Danny O, Dave A, Kieran or John Raftery and educate yourself.

Sounds harsh but, if a game plan is not working, a savvy coach will ditch it after 30 minutes – not 3 games and counting. C'mon, Frank, save your job and at least be flexible.

He did it at half-time v Palace, albeit his job and reputation were probably on the line, so he's proved he can take the blinkers off with a bit of bravery. Time for Stanley Mills to start.

Steve @181, we're saying the same thing. Rondon done alright yesterday but he isn't the answer to our problems up front. Keep posting your views.

I watched the highlights back when I got in and was, for once, interested in the MotD analysis. Most of our threat was coming through the driving runs of Gray and Gordon. But there is no striker for them to deliver to, so it reinforces the glaring problem and Lampard said it in his interview. We must have something lined up, but it's what gives.

Gordon starting and playing the full 90 suggests he's staying. Unless it was needs must. I still didn't like his body language at the end. Hopefully just disappointment. I said to a few yesterday, I'd love him to stay, but if we're being offered £50M, that's going to be tough to turn down given where we are and what we need.

Watching MotD made me think, Brian; it will be an interesting day when Mills senior has to comment on Mills junior's performance!!! See you next time around.

In hindsight, I'll also change my view on Gordon's chance to snatch it at the end. He probably kills the opportunity to lob by taking a touch rather than doing it first time, but to give credit, the keeper came out and closed quickly.

With the goalkeeper so committed, maybe he could have slipped it to the left and rolled it in for what I feel would have been a deserved, albeit narrow win. But those of us who have taken to the field of play know that these things often happen in split seconds, not with the benefit of slow motion replays.

That chance at the end epitomised Gordon, it just doesn't come naturally to either get a clean shot away or his decision-making is usually wrong.

That last part may alter with maturity but not the finishing. That can't be coached. Either you have it or don't.

If we can get strikers in (plural not singular) without the Gordon fee, then fine. If not, his fee will make the difference between a £15M striker and a £30M one, then our future depends on it.

Yes, you're right about Onana. Maybe I was a bit hasty in my assessment there as I'd had quite a few sherbets. The lad is going to take time to settle and, looking back on it now, was maybe guilty of trying too hard to impress. That said, I was worried he was going to walk.

Biggest disappointments from me so far have been Lampard, who continues to be too reactive with in-game changes, and McNeil, who would not have been my signing of choice but who I at least expected more control and precision from. But there's time for both to improve.

It feels like we badly need a win at Leeds and/or Brentford or else it feels horribly plausible that we may only have 2-3 points after 7 games.

The defense looks a bit less shaky (though Mykolenko is not offering enough going forwards) and Iwobi is offering the sort of dynamism and control in the middle that we've needed for years. Him and Gueye would make a good combo though Davies showed that he can still offer something yesterday.

If Chelsea are mad enough to offer £50M or more for Gordon, we need to take it. The chance to buy someone who can score goals regularly now is more pressing than the need to keep someone who might score goals in 2-3 years.

Rondon, Gray and Gordon is sadly the most limited strike force in the Premier League (Calvert-Lewin improves things but his long-term availability is in doubt now) and there's no doubt in my mind we'll most likely be in a relegation battle.

Crucial that we make good moves in the next week or so.

However, I could see Frank Lampard resign due to frustration. For example, if Anthony Gordon gets sold... he may just think what's the point etc.

Re Gordon... surely this move needs to have the approval of Gordon as well. He doesn't have to leave if he doesn't want to...

Also, I am not a fan of 5 subs but am interested to know if anyone thinks using the full quota of 5 subs yesterday could have had a positive impact on our performance.

Early days but Onana worries me. He seems more interested in trying to gee up the crowd than doing his job. Lampard needs to have an early chat with him – he could have been sent off within 10 minutes of coming on the pitch.

I thought Tarkowski looked uncomfortable all game, making a number of errors. Iwobi our best player again.

That limp corner at the Street End, Bullens Road side, the splitting through ball that didn't reach Gordon, the right idea but poor execution.

Hopefully he will be able to get to 10% of Kevin Sheedy, he may be able contribute to the team. But being the player he is, you have to be very good with the ball and make the game progress positively for Everton.

Like with Onana, he's not up to the pace of the Premier League yet, and will learn about going in recklessly, as much for his own fitness as for the opponent.

But the lad has passion and hopefully can be gleaned into a very good Everton player.

It doesn't really matter how I followed the game. The Beeb confirmed how I thought it would go: A bright start, then only one team going to win it in the last quarter before our late goal.

Well, you clearly think it's vital to back Frank at this point. Funny, cos I think you were calling for the previous manager to go within weeks of his arrival last year, so why you think you are in a position to lecture other people on how to support the club, I'm not sure.

A reminder is Tom Davies has done what exactly in over 5 years, a goal v Man City? Lookman scored in that game too, but wasn't good enough for Everton.

Good to see Rondon getting a fair crack from some posters. We got the ball to him 13 times with his back to goal. He got it to one our players 9 times, had 2 shots, gave it away twice. He is no world beater agreed, but he now's how to provide an out.

All credit to Gray – took his goal beautifully and knows that there are 90+ minutes to be played every game. Iwobi put a terrific shift in once again.

I am going to take a few positives from this game. The defence is looking much better. I like Coady – he is a calm head and reads the game well. Tarkowski had a poor game but I think he is made of the right stuff (wish he was left-footed) and Holgate is looking much better on the right of a three.

I think we have solved our full-back problems - Mykolenko and Patterson are very young and will get better and we have Coleman and Vinagre as cover for each of them.

Onana is raw and his attempted rugby tackle was a bit embarrassing but I think he will settle into the pace and intensity of the premier league. If he does, he appears to have the self-belief, drive and talent to become a very good player.

We are still lacking a goal scorer and a bit of guile in midfield. I still think Dele Alli and Allan could make a difference.

Dave - I am doing ok thanks. I've got, my family, food, clothing, a roof over my head, and a few dollars in the pension fund and the heating is on (still winter here). One of the 10% 😉. Hope you are doing OK too.

We just don't have the right centre-backs to play a back 3. It robs us of an extra body in an already weak midfield.

None of this is anything new. It's the same as the glaring issues which Frank was very slow to react to last season.

A striker will help, big time. But it won't solve these structural issues.

There's an easy fix but the signing of Coady seems to have committed him to back 3 - and it could even be the thing that gets him sacked. Early days, I know, so let's hope it doesn't come anywhere close to that.

We can't drop Coady because we've seemingly promised him games. So a back four would pair Holgate and Coady at the moment, with three high earners on the bench. So we're pretty much committed to a back five.

Rondon we know isn't very mobile but, when they did hit him with the ball, he held it up or moved it on well, but no use playing balls over the top for him – he just doesn't have the pace to get on the end of them.

Although Rondon was tiring in the 2nd half, the changes seemed to unbalance us; putting McNeil in place of Rondon didn't work and Onana is a young boy in a new country in a new league, suggest any opinions on him should wait till the end of this season.

We now have 10 days to get a couple of strikers in, now these may not be the strikers Lampard or us fans would have wanted but we need strikers so beggars can't be choosers, as the saying goes.

After watching yesterday I don't think we can afford to let Gordon go as I said most of the good things we did in the game Gordon was involved. The argument is £45 million is a lot of money and we can buy a striker, but that means we lose all of what Gordon brings to the side and we end up with a striker with McNeil playing in Gordon's place.

I thought Tarkowski looked very shaky yesterday, especially against anyone with a bit of pace. The problem with this system is he is more on the flank than he was at Burnley and therefore more exposed. I thought Coady and Holgate had decent games, but I just don't like this system.

Iwobi was probably our best player but wouldn't him playing in a midfield 3 give him more options to play further forward and join the attack? Apart from when we were chasing the game we always seem to struggle getting numbers into the box with this system.

Time to be brave, Frank, go to a 4-3-3 bring back Allan as the defensive midfield and allow Iwobi and Onana to go forward.

For me, you play Mykolenko, Coady and Tarkowski as a three. Mykolenko doesn't get forward, is quick enough and is naturally left-sided.

Rondon is rubbish, but he was a marked improvement on having nothing else. That highlights we will function better with a striker.

I don't like the team set up with 5 at the back, I have to say. But we don't have many components for 4 at the back.

You can't say playing 5 improves our ability to counter-attack. It's purely saying they can't play in a 4.

Also, you've not got a defensive midfielder good enough to break up the play either. Still trying to get a 32-year-old Gana in, is as embarrassing as having no strikers.

3 games in, and it looks like we are Bottom 5 for the season.

I assume you are talking about Forest.

Never mind... only 39 points to go.

A striker will make a major difference and keep us out of the Bottom 6. The boy from Chelsea is the one and to get!

Criticising others for either having to watch the highlights or listening to the game on the radio, is a little out of order. Doesn't mean that you don't love or support the team.

It may be the case, that in the current climate not everyone can afford to fork out a fortune to go and watch games.

"Anyone think that Pickford should have pushed the ball more towards the wing in the lead-up to their goal?"

Christopher, I assume that, as he's left-footed, then he's also left-handed, though that's not always the case. If so, and totally guessing at this, but I just wonder if saving with his weaker hand makes him more prone to push the ball more to the wing than to the goal line???

That might be counter-intuitive but maybe it's because he has less control over what his non-dominant hand does???

Gordon and Gray both get into decent positions but their decision-making and final ball are severely lacking – same with set pieces, most of the deliveries were pretty pathetic. If Gray hadn't scored, I would have given him a 5 for wastefulness but he did score so much forgiven!

Iwobi our best player again, I thought Davies also had a very good game in 75% of the pitch and ‘not so good' in the final attacking quarter.

I can't stand 5 at the back and would rather have a 5-man midfield as this is where we lose most of our games. It feels like it is going to be a very long season and finishing anywhere outside the Bottom 3 will be an achievement. Still looking forward to the games though, lol, at least we tried to play a bit of decent footy here and there.

I think you're being a bit unfair. Kevin Molloy made a few comments, said we created nothing, no forwards against Forest, Rondon was playing, wants Lampard gone.

Steve Brown questioned his comments because he didn't even see the game. He didn't say Kevin had to go to the game but, as he said, to spout off without seeing the game – a bit much!!

What he does at the moment is to move the ball with some speed and, generally, with accuracy, so that even if he's not directly creating chances, then he's switching play and managing tempo.

As it happens, I thought he had one of his less effective games yesterday, certainly in the second half.

I'd like to see him further forward from where he should, in any event, be more creative. That won't happen, sadly, while we are so chaotic in midfield and bereft in attack.

As a longer-term supporter of Iwobi who eventually lost faith in him, I'm delighted with his renewed form but I share some of your reservations, and those expressed by Peter Mills elsewhere on here, to the effect that we shouldn't go overboard in our praise.

Okay, not on the scale of Forest, but we do have 2 new centre-backs, effectively a new right-(wing)back in Patterson, Mykolenko still settling (but nicely) as well as McNeil, now Onana and striker(s) plus another midfielder to follow.

Once they gel, we'll be talking 59 points!!

We all follow Everton and football in the way we can. From near, from afar and however we can get access. As someone who spent many gap years not being able to go regularly, I can appreciate that.

I have to admit, I had to give up listening on the radio many, many years ago, so respect. My blood pressure used to go through the roof and I didn't feel like I had any control. I know that's a ridiculous statement because it's not like I do have when I'm watching, but psychologically it feels like I do! I hope some understand that sentiment

I've said before, but I actually enjoyed the match yesterday. It wasn't perfect, but a decent game. The gaps we have are known, documented and can be fixed.

Over to you, Mr Moshiri and the Doard to support the manager's & DoF's plans and wants.

Look at our next 8 games. We are bang in trouble.

Yes, I'm doing okay, like yourself, counting my blessings and looking on the bright things in life always helps!!

Our need for a striker becomes more glaring with every game we play. Better get one soon.

Looking at the next 10 games, I can only see a maximum of five points with the current squad. If we sign a decent striker that could change, but judging by the signings we have made that probably won't happen.

The recent signings haven't improved us at all and we have not replaced Richarlison. This current squad will be relegated.

The whole team is riddled with mistakes, doubts and poor decision-making. There were some positives though. Holgate and Iwobi continue their remarkable improvement under Frank.

It never ceases to amaze me how preoccupied many posters are with Tom Davies. Once again, he is the most talked about player. He didn't rise, or fall, above the decidedly average, but he didn't really have to, to be head and shoulders above McNeil or Onana.

Frank was right for not starting Onana. Last week, he was caught in possession as soon as came on. That lead directly to a Villa goal. This week, he did exactly the same thing and had to resort to a rugby challenge to avoid giving up another chance.

The Premier League is different to other leagues. You don't get away with nearly as much because you don't get as much time to operate. Arsene Wenger used to piss off his new foreign signings by making them sit and watch a few English league games before throwing them in.

I think it will take a few weeks for Onana to acclimatise.

Two of them in my opinion were playing identical roles in midfield. Our best holding midfielder and leader is Allan but Frank does not like him. Our worst player, he kept on for 90 minutes.

I'm puzzled.

Again! It should come off eventually! Trust me.

In your face, Einstein!!!!!

I imagine that he sanctioned the loans of Simms, Dobbin and Broadhead (if not, then something is seriously awry). He could very well have been assured that his required second striker was imminently available. However, he continues with his back five/three with his wingbacks providing midfield reinforcement.

It clearly works only on occasion, and often instead leaves us overrun in the middle of the park, or our full-backs caught out of position.

Tarkowski has been exposed in the left-back position several times when Mykolenko has been awol. Why doesn't he trust a back four? Coady, Tarkovsky, Patterson and Mykolenko. Then we could have Allan in the middle and that extra body closing up the space.

But no, Frank thinks his wingers will cut inside and make the space for his raiding wingbacks. It might work with a decent number 9, but we don't have one.

I honestly think we would be better sitting deep and counter-attacking. Ancelotti did it as he realised how limited we are. Since then, we have lost Richarlison, Sigurdsson and James. We are playing wide-open football like Bournemouth under Eddie Howe. We all know how that turned out.

It's stubborness worthy of Benitez and I fear that this manager is going to be found out as a bit naive. If he hadn't played many many games for Chelsea and England, I wonder just how kind the media and our fans would be?

And go 3-5-2.

I do tend to agree, stubbornness and naivety of playing what he wants to before he's got the players to do it may undo him.

But the last thing I want is managerial change, so I hope he can see it. We've still got that gap in the middle and we lack strikers.

This guy has won everything. I'm just a follower, like many. But we can all see it.

For me, he has toughened up the back and also the midfield, he is now in the process of changing the way we have been playing. I for one saw a difference yesterday and liked what I saw for most part of the game.

Let the players get used to the way we play and let the new players settle in. I am sure we will all see better performances.

I was taught a lesson by Alex Iwobi. I slated him every week but now he would be the first name on my team sheet. COYB

It's then Frank should have the nous to change the system, go flat back 4, move maybe Coady into the defensive midfield position, push Davies and Iwobi further forward, bring a sub on after 30 minutes, try different things to win the game!

Unless Lampard grows a pair quickly, he'll be gone by November.

Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard were such top players. Expectation to match this as managers comes with added pressure.

As I have said, negative results get you the sack, whoever you are. Those saying "We have had so many managers, we need stability" – you're wrong. Premier League status is bigger than being loyal when millions of pounds is at risk. Also, improving performances is crucial for more points.

After many months, I still don't see what Frank is trying to do formation-wise? If I don't see it, how are the players responding? Formation and players in unfamiliar positions can lead to mistakes.

This squad has enough quality to keep clean sheets. Frank must find a way. He must bang on the Director of Football's door, demanding a striker is signed, at least one.

If a striker is not signed, then Frank must find a way to get points or resign. If we get to 59 points under Frank, I will be thrilled. Currently and history tells us different but this is football and it may surprise us.

Brent @ 238: "Fun fact" – more left-footed players are right-handed than left-handed (I'm one). Most left-handed players are right-footed. Left-left is apparently the rarest.

Even more than I suspected – re the right-handedness but left-footedness in the same person. Got to hand it to you for that gem!

The wingbacks are not coming into attacking play as often as we would like. We have seen what Mykolenko and Patterson are capable of. But perhaps Frank wants us to be solid at the back before he allows the wingbacks more freedom, plus the fact that we don't have a beanpole striker who can get on the end of those crosses.

And for people calling for Mykolenko to be played on the left side of a back 3 – why? I think Holgate is playing his best football in this system, Coady looks like he is an organiser and Tarkowski is an excellent blocker and header of the football.

I expect that once Holgate starts getting his confidence, he will use his pace to push up much further. If Gana comes in, then I can see Iwobi and Davies playing more forward and supporting the striker (Calvert-Lewin or the new fella) along with one of Gordon or Gray.

I like how this team has progressed since last season. It feels like Lampard and his staff have a definite strategy (build from the back, don't get overrun in midfield and have the runners – Gordon and Gray feed off the centre forward).

Obviously, Calvert-Lewin's injury and the struggles to sign a decent backup to him have been a setback. In the meantime, I hope Lampard is conducting extra shooting sessions for the likes of Gordon, Gray, McNeil, Iwobi, and Davies to sharpen their skills. Plus, we need a bit of luck for things to go our way.

(Yes, Brighton!)

That it is untrue!!!!

Firstly, Frank needs to revert to a back 4.

Secondly, we need to get the Idrissa Gueye deal done as Onana needs to have a defensive midfielder behind him and a back 4 needs more protection than a back 5. If we can't sign Gueye, Davies or Allan have to play behind Onana.

Thirdly, as we all know, we need to sign a striker. Until we do, Rondon has to start until Calvert-Lewin is fit.

It's not rocket science, Frank.

How often do we see, in the first few weeks of a season, teams in the bottom three who end up well up the table; and teams who are quick out of the blocks who end up near the bottom?

An excellent summary of what Everton are about. Like most, I want Frank to grab the reins and lead the way but we are so desperately short of a striker, I mean we created enough chances yesterday to win 3 games.

Your post is one of those that attempts to put down anyone with a critical opinion as Kopites.

So you have been going regularly to Goodison for 50 years... It doesn't mean your opinion is any more accurate than anyone else's. Please refrain from calling other Evertonians Liverpool supporters.

As for your point... perhaps there are some hopeful signs from some of our crisp passing and interplay. We are creating chances. We still need to start scoring goals and controlling games.

Personally, I'm not willing to give Frank forever to sort out his blurred tactics. He might as well be starring in Groundhog Day.

If we are in a battle of the worst half of the 20.

We can only get a draw out of Notts Forrest.

We are deep in it Mr Thelwell, Mr Lampard.

You better get ya fingers out and recognise the rubbish we have in the squad.
As good a lad Tom Davies is, he aint good enough.

Others we have Mina, Holgate, Allan, Gabamin, Rondon, Keane.
Proved injury prone, in consistant, just aint going to keep us in the top flight.

Be to late to clear them out, get quality in soon.

Absolute nightmare, no urgency, looking at bargain basement strikers.

Tosun £28million, Moise Keane, who the **** has been getting paid sanctioning, Ramirez?

For God's sake, wake up Frank or youll get sacked, your Premier League managerial prospects are in tatters.

Get tough up stairs.Tell them youll walk if you don't get backed.
Rather that than you get sacked.

A draw, against what we played.

Villa, they're bad, Chelsea rubbish, Leeds sorted them out. Forrest, rubbish.

Come on Frank, take control for us.

I'd still like to try them in a straight back four. If it doesn't work, play Holgate with either, as he's looked a lot sharper this season, and Patterson and Mykolenko are fast enough and can still get forward as fullbacks.

Iwobi can be a lot more effective going forward with Allan or in a Gueye hopefully holding role, and a lot less pressure on Onana in a 3-man midfield, and will give Gordon, Gray and hopefully a new No 9 a stronger attacking threat.

Looking at the Leeds game, taking nothing away from them, but Chelsea without Kante... a lot more vulnerable.

Tweak One (already fixed): keep Iwobi away from the wing and play him in his preferred position of more central.

Tweak Two: play Tarkowski either central or out on the right of defence, his stronger position.

Tweak Three: when fit, keep Godfrey away from the right side of defence, he is much better either playing central or towards the left side of defence.

If you look at Godfrey overall, his poorer games always seem to come when he is playing on the right side of defence.

Next game: switch Tarkowski back to his stronger position on the right.

We also need Gana back so we can play a 4-2-3-1 formation.

I'm behind Lampard but agree that any stubbornness now will be his undoing!

They don't have to, of course, but I got the impression that Tarkowski was going to be the organiser at the back, but now that Coady has arrived, there could be two bosses, which can work… but very often does not.

You are right... except that we are a touch better than Bournemouth over the course of the season, I suspect.

Pickford
Tarkowski (RCB)
Coady
Godfrey (LCB)
Patterson
Mykolenko
Onana
Gueye
Gordon
McNeil
DCL

That's not too bad at all. I guess Onana's immaturity is why Gueye is still wanted. He can help Onana settle in.

On the bench, giving us options should be Broja, Iwobi and Gray.

Again, not too bad.

Obviously the injuries to Godfrey and DCL have derailed this.

We might be able to make this work while Godfrey is out by playing Mykolenko at LCB and Vinagre as LWB.

However, the easiest fix for the players must surely be a 433 which brings in Gueye (or Allan if Gueye doesn't sign) at the expense of a CB. That would allow us to keep the newly ace Iwobi as part of a central trio.

Or maybe the transfer window has some more surprises for us.

Is that a reasonable ask given we have the World Cup break to accommodate?

Always wise to give the old timers as much "Water Closet" break as they need!

Nottingham Forest are not a relegation team. They easily beat West Ham last week. We are not the worst team in the league – West Ham lost their 3rd game today and are bottom, whilst Man Utd are in one hell of a mess.

With Frank, one look at the team shows the improvements he has made. We hear ad nauseum that we need a striker; I think Frank is well aware of that but he doesn't control the club's money – he can't make players want to join us – and he can't make other clubs release their players.

Frank is doing his best but, when you have numpties like Kenwright holding the purse strings and making decisions, Frank needs the fans' support, like he was given last season.

If we can finally complete the Gueye transfer and add 2 strikers, then I think we will start moving up the table. Although I do have some concerns over the number of new faces who will need to settle in and how long that is likely to take.

Tarkowski poduced a brutal first-half performance.

Poor finishing, long an Everton problem.

Pushed deep and compacted after Franks changes in the second half.

Pickford error.

Get out of jail goal by Gray.

Yes, Everton are playing better football. but competitively they have not moved on.

Gordon's first touch was poor, for the chance to win the game, and Henderson was able to close him down.

For the love of god, get your finger out and buy a flaming striker!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are just throwing points away at the minute while this is not being sorted out! We are meant to be a professional club in the Premier League yet have no fit, decent strikers in the squad.

Are we a pressing side or not? Watching Fulham, Leeds, Brentford and Newcastle this weekend, they seem well drilled, coached, with a plan. We sometimes press, but it doesn't seem to be everyone, just maybe one, or most times we sit off and let them walk it to the half-way line. We pressed a few times last year, Brentford, Leeds Utd, Man Utd ... it seemed to work.

I would have thought if we are not playing with a striker; Gordon, Gray, McNeil and Iwobi would have been perfect to press, given their speed, escpecially as they don't bring much threat in the box. I'm not fussed either way, but it's just not clear to me what type of style we are meant to be playing.

Another gripe is that we never just put the ball in the box, the checking back everytime is very frustrating. It looks like a particularly tough Premier League this season, it's going to take a lot to get 3 points and many sides look like they have a style and a plan laid out.

Iwobi again with another MotM performance for me. It needs to be highlighted as well that the lad never seems to moan and is available every week, whatever position. Glad he seems to have the Number 8 position nailed.

Holgate, Davies, Gray, Coady also had very good games. Defensively we look very solid, we have hardly given up many chances in the first 3 games.

But we are so wasteful in the final third, and when is Gordon going to learn how to shoot? He always shoots leaning back or off-balance, never getting any power in some good positions.

Finally though, I don't think we are too far away from a half-decent side, some creativity up front and a Number 9 should see us be okay and a good young side to build on next season.

He's looked at the fullbacks and centre-backs and thought "they just aren't good enough" and then thought "I know, I'll move to a five, problem solved". But our whole squad is based around 4-5-1, and not around 5-3-2.

I wonder, has he thought much at all about what sort of midfielders would play in the three? At Wolves, they had outstanding playmakers in Neves and Moutinho; we don't have one player like that, let alone two.

And is he really going to lash out £30M plus on a striker, and then pop him on the bench when Calvert-Lewin gets back fit next month?

And if he's not, does that mean it's two up top? That again would change the whole dynamic of the team.

Would be great when we get Calvert-Lewin back, we need a huge slice of luck that he gets through the remainder of the season, but with no guarentee of that, we need to bring a striker in.

In 85 we had Andy Gray as back up, then Heath got an horrible injury, back then we were able to link Sharp and Gray together, today we have to plan for the full season, with that in mind, then a striker is a must.

If you look back over the last few seasons, sometimes we have had 2 goalkeepers on the bench, that’s three keepers in total.

Yet we only have one striker in the squad, goalkeepers save you goals, strikers win you games with goals, but to have only one striker available for the first team match day squad needs addressing, we cannot keep going into winnable games, with only one striker to be able to call upon.

Alongside Calvet Lewin, a drifting, supporting striker. Ironically, a job Richarlison could have done. Could Gray do it? Can Gordon? He's no point man but could support the striker.

But then we're still missing something from the midfield 3 if we went down the 3-5-2 route.

Sadly lots of work to do with this squad after the wasteful years we've just experienced. It won't happen overnight but changing the manager again in the shor term won't fix it.

Iowbi has a wandering role. Gray, Gordan and McNeill are more interested in space for them to receive a pass. They stay off defenders as a result. This space is then curtailed by unchallenged defender

kevin#294

I don't think that Everton sees it as a back 5. Prior to the season start he is on record as saying he is not interested in formation, whether it be a back this or that. I think the intention is three centre back, with two wing backs pushing forward. But when To Everton have no Centre Forward and a inconsistent press the Wing back are pushed back and the Centre Back revert to Evertons default position of being deeper than they should be, Hence the bac 5.

Imo Everton do not have the players to operate Frank's system. They are use to having a Centre Forward. But even with that finishing is poor and has been for years, par the odd get out of jail goal.

One striker a bare minimum possibly two in.